High Desert Chipping Project
Summary
SCH Number
2018098047
Public Agency
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
(CAL FIRE)
Document Title
High Desert Chipping Project
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
9/4/2018
Document Description
This project will help reduce wildfire risk to habitable structures by providing locations where State Responsibility Area residents can dispose of their green waste when conducting defensible space fuel reduction on their properties. The project will also consist of roadside brush clearing along ingress and egress access routes that are used by fire personnel and the public during wildfires. SRA residents will be allowed to drop off their green waste at either the Phelan, Lucerne Valley, or Apple Valley CAL FIRE stations on designated days. CAL FIRE crews will chip the vegetation into a bin or pile and burn onsite. The bin will be hauled to the local County dump for disposal. Roadside brushing treatments will consist of the removal of vegetation within 10 feet from the edge of the road prism. If any trees are encountered within the 10-foot width they will not be removed. Roadside vegetation will be cut using chainsaws. Crews will either chip the vegetation immediately after cutting it or stack it in a manner that will facilitate efficient chipping later. Chips will be scattered onsite to a chip depth layer of approximately three inches and not cover more than 75% of the ground. Approximately 20 acres a year will be treated through roadside brushing. The project is within creosote bush scrub habitat consisting primarily of creosote bush, rabbitbrush, sagebrush, brittlebrush, yucca, and Joshua trees. Elevation ranges from 3,000 - 4,500 feet. All ground based equipment will be operated from existing roads or disturbed areas. No new roads will be constructed. Work will be accomplished using CAL FIRE crews and/or contractors. This project will be ongoing for several years.
Contact Information
Name
Henry Herrera
Agency Name
Cal Fire
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Counties
San Bernardino
Other Information
Pinon Hills, Phelan, Baldy Mesa,Oak Hills, Summit Valley, West Cajon Valley and Lucerne Valley
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
15304
Reasons for Exemption
Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land; minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, or scenic trees
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